Chapter 79: Winning the Heart of an Intellectual (ii)

Ryan, being a merman himself, understood better than anyone how extraordinary Sora’s display of water manipulation truly was.

But Sora had no time to worry about the stunned expressions surrounding her.

She continued drawing brine from the salt wells without pause.

When she noticed everyone simply staring, she looked around and frowned.

"What are you all standing there for?"

"Hurry up and get back to work."

"If I finish filling all the pits before you’ve even dug them, don’t blame me."

Her words snapped everyone back to reality.

The beastmen immediately resumed working, moving much faster than before.

Seeing everyone busy again, Sora silently increased the flow of her water ability.

Level Two Water Manipulation truly was convenient.

She could increase or decrease the speed with a single thought.

It was far more efficient than before.

Soon every excavation pit had been filled with brine.

Once enough water had drained away, thick layers of salt remained behind.

Sora pointed toward the animal hides they had brought.

"Spread the salt over the hides."

"Let it dry."

After working for nearly half the day, she was beginning to feel hungry herself.

Leaving everyone to continue collecting salt, she clapped her hands.

"Lucas, Xavier, Ace."

"Come with me."

The three immediately followed her into the nearby forest.

Before long, they returned carrying several wild chickens and ducks.

Sora also unpacked the pottery pots they had brought along.

It was time to cook.

There were more than thirty people altogether.

Besides her five beast husbands, there were over twenty members of the Wolf Tribe.

With such a large group—and an unlimited supply of coarse salt nearby—

Salt-baked dishes were the easiest solution.

Simple.

Delicious.

And enough to feed everyone.

Before leaving the tribe that morning, Sora had specifically instructed everyone to bring their own pottery pots.

The Wolf Tribe members had eagerly agreed after hearing they would be eating food prepared by her.

Ever since Clare and Zainabu had taught everyone how to make pottery, clay pots had become common throughout the tribe.

Fortunately...

There were more than enough for today’s feast.

After cleaning the chickens and ducks, Sora prepared to roast them in salt.

She could have used her fire ability to ignite every stove instantly.

But she chose not to.

Some abilities were best kept hidden.

One day...

That secret might save her life.

Still...

Lighting nearly a dozen fires one by one would be exhausting.

Her gaze drifted toward Ryan.

Perhaps...

This is a good opportunity to raise the affection of my "intellectual" target.

Smiling faintly, Sora picked up a pottery pot and walked deeper into the cave.

She planned to surprise him a little.

During her previous visit, Sora had noticed something strange.

Occasionally...

A faint blue flame would briefly flicker from a small mound of earth near the salt well.

At the time, however, she’d been too embarrassed after her skirt had come loose to investigate.

Now she finally had the chance.

Carrying a pottery pot, she walked over and placed a hand against the mound.

Warmth radiated from beneath the ground.

Not intense...

But unmistakable.

Sora thought for a moment.

The airflow inside the cave is too strong.

The gas is dispersing before it can ignite properly.

After reaching a conclusion, she left the cave.

On the way there, while riding on Lucas’s back, she had noticed a patch of bamboo nearby.

After finding it, she activated her wood ability.

Green vines extended from her fingertips, slicing through a slender bamboo stalk with ease.

She split it open, cut off several hollow sections, and carried them back into the cave.

Carefully, she positioned one hollow bamboo tube over the place where the gas seeped from the ground.

Whoosh!

A brilliant blue flame burst into life.

She smiled.

She’d guessed correctly.

The underground natural gas only needed protection from the wind in order to concentrate and ignite.

She immediately placed the pottery pot over the flame.

Compared to ordinary firewood...

Natural gas burned much hotter.

Much faster.

Satisfied, Sora cut several more bamboo tubes and created additional burners.

Soon, nearly every pottery pot rested above its own blue flame.

Before long...

The rich aroma of salt-baked chicken filled the cave.

Everyone instinctively turned toward the smell.

Before they even noticed the food, they froze at the sight before them.

Blue flames flickered beneath every pot.

Yet...

Not a single piece of firewood was burning.

A wolf warrior stared in astonishment.

"Sora..."

"Where did all this fire come from?"

Had he not seen it with his own eyes, he never would have believed such a thing.

Even Lucas, Xavier, Ace, and Lukan—who had already grown accustomed to Sora doing extraordinary things—were equally shocked.

They were certain she hadn’t used a fire ability.

None of them had sensed any elemental fluctuation.

Ryan’s eyes widened slightly as well.

Sora smiled calmly.

"The fire was already here."

"I simply found a way to use it."

Her explanation sounded simple.

But everyone present knew it wasn’t.

How had she known there was fire hidden beneath the ground?

How had she known bamboo could guide it out?

Everything she had done suggested she’d understood the phenomenon from the very beginning.

Ryan found himself looking at Sora again.

She was far more knowledgeable...

And far more intelligent...

Than he’d ever imagined.

Ding!

Congratulations, Host.

Ryan’s Affection has increased.

Current Affection: 50.

Sora smiled inwardly.

Just as expected.

The intellectual type really does appreciate knowledge.

Simply demonstrating a little scientific thinking had increased his affection.

Before she could celebrate, the system chimed again.

Ding!

Congratulations, Host.

Ryan’s Attraction has increased to 30.

Lucas, Xavier, Ace, and Lukan’s Attraction has increased to 90.

They are approaching the breakthrough threshold.

Please continue your efforts, Host.

Sora blinked.

That fast?

The last time, aside from Ryan, the other four had already been close to ninety-nine affection.

She hadn’t expected their attraction to rise this quickly as well.

Just a little more...

And she’d be able to upgrade her abilities again.

Still, cooking came first.

Besides the salt-baked chicken and duck, she gathered fresh ferns and wild vegetables before stir-frying them.

The Wolf Tribe members had never tasted salt-baked food before.

The irresistible aroma completely captivated them.

Unlike Beggar’s Chicken, the salt crust locked every bit of flavor inside the meat.

It was unbelievably delicious.

Lukan and Ryan, tasting it for the first time, were too busy eating to say a single word.

Lucas, Xavier, and Ace had eaten it before, but after such a long time, they still couldn’t get enough.

Once everyone had eaten their fill, they rested briefly before returning to work.

Sora joined them for a while.

Then suddenly...

Her stomach cramped.

She immediately realized she needed to relieve herself.

She had rushed out so early that morning that she’d never had the chance.

Quietly excusing herself, she hurried toward the forest outside the cave.

There were plenty of trees and thick grass nearby.

After plucking a large round leaf from a nearby plant, she found a secluded spot hidden among the bushes.

Squatting down, she sighed helplessly.

Primitive life really was inconvenient.

At least there were broad leaves here.

If this had been the barren red clay fields back home, she wouldn’t even have had anything suitable to use afterward.

As she finished, a thought crossed her mind.

Maybe...

I should make paper.

At least then she wouldn’t have to suffer every time nature called.

Just then—

Rustle...

A sound came from the nearby grass.

Sora instantly tensed.

No way...

Please don’t let someone come over now.

She absolutely did not want to run into anyone in such an embarrassing situation.

Fortunately...

The footsteps stopped not far away.

Holding her breath, Sora covered her mouth and nose, remaining perfectly still, terrified of alerting whoever had arrived.